Ground anchoring device for floral pots, baskets and containers

ABSTRACT

A ground anchoring device for attaching floral containers to the ground. The anchoring device is made of lightweight material and can be easily manipulated. The anchor has a vertical shaft with a hook at the top for grasping the rim or edge of the container and a horizontal step along the vertical shaft for easy insertion into the ground when pressure or force is applied to the horizontal step.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of Invention

[0002] This invention relates to ground anchors and more specifically, to anchors for flower containers that are placed outdoors where exposure to the elements such as wind or rain can cause the containers to turn or topple over. This invention keeps the containers in an upright position. These containers are found outside of homes, businesses and cemeteries and/or graveyards, but are not limited to these areas.

[0003] 2. Background of Inventions

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 6,412,748 issued to Girard describes a ground anchoring mechanism for securing an umbrella. The mechanism has an anchor post with a lower pointed end and a horizontal step section extending sideways from the anchor post so that the anchor post may be transitionally driven into the ground by using a person's foot on the horizontal step section and driving the anchor post into the ground using the persons weight. The mechanism also includes at least one strap, and preferably a pair of straps which defines an opening for receiving an upper end of the anchor post and which comprises an elongated band, typically resilient to encircle the pole of the umbrella and secure it to the anchor post.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,194 issued to Collins describes a system for anchoring temporary structures. The system is comprised of a first stake having a shaft with a lower end for insertion into the ground, and an upper end including a loop. It has a second stake having a shaft with a lower end for insertion into the ground, and an upper end including at least one hook. When the lower ends of the stakes are inserted into the ground, they are angled away from each other and the shaft of the second stake is received through the loop of the first stake. They are mutually interlocked which prevents the stakes from being independently extracted form the ground.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,831,798 issued to Otteson describes a ground anchoring stake used for securing animal traps, tent straps or ropes, and similar devices to the ground. The stake is an elongated cylindrical body having an upper head portion and a lower sharpened end portion. A bail is connected to or formed integrally with the body. A first portion of the bail extends outwardly from the body at a point that is below the upper head portion. The first portion of the bail curves upwardly so as to be oriented generally parallel to the body and extend above the upper head portion. An upper curved portion of the bail is disposed above the head portion of the body. A tail portion of the bail extends downwardly from the upper curved portion parallel to the body. The tail portion extends well below the upper head portion of the body. The upper curved portion permits a universal pivoting connection to be established between the stake and a connecting member attached to the anchoring device.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,432,382 issued to Wolf describes a tent stake. The stake has a straight wire shank and has a head formed of the same material. The head has a hook under one side for engagement by a tent rope and has a driving surface on top. The stake has an opening to serve as a handle for the pulling of the tent stake.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0008] It is the intent of this invention to provide a ground anchor for floral containers that is easily manipulated, lightweight and convenient.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] The ground-anchoring device is comprised of a vertical shaft having a hook on the top and a horizontal step along the vertical shaft. The anchoring device has the capability of being different lengths along the vertical shaft for specific accommodations relative to the size of the containers. In reference to the drawings the invention will be described accordingly.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the anchor is shown from the left side view, as it would be attached to the container.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 2, the anchor is shown from the right side view, as it would be attached to the container.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 3, the anchor is shown from the right side view, as it would be attached to the container using the device with a shorter vertical shaft.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 4, the anchor is shown from the left side view, as it would be attached to the container using the device with a shorter vertical shaft.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 5, the anchor is shown, as it would be applied to the container from two opposing sides simultaneously.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 6, the anchor is shown, as it would be applied to a container having a handle and ring at the bottom where shorter anchors could be applied for the same purpose and used simultaneously. 

I claim:
 1. An anchoring device for securing floral containers to the ground that is lightweight and easily manipulated.
 2. The device is a vertical shaft having a hook at the top and a horizontal step along the vertical shaft. The length of the vertical shaft can be made to accommodate the size/shape of the container that will be anchored.
 3. The anchoring device is comprised of a hook on the top of a vertical shaft for grasping the containers that will be anchored.
 4. The anchoring device is comprised of a horizontal step along the vertical shaft to which force or pressure is applied for easy insertion of the device into the ground.
 5. The anchoring device works alone or in multiples depending on the size and/or shape of the container to be anchored. 